Video: Air Canada Bag Handlers Toss Luggage 20 Feet To Tarmac

"We are disappointed and sorry about what happened."

We've all looked for ways to increase our efficiency on the job, little time-cutting measures that shave a second here, a second there. That's fine when your job isn't handling other people's valuables, but when you're a baggage handler for a major airline? Not so much, as two Air Canada workers are learning this week.

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The airline tweeted an apology Saturday after a video showing baggage handlers dropping luggage around 20 feet into a bin went viral.

"The actions in the video don't represent our procedure," they wrote. "We are disappointed & sorry about what happened. We're investigating."

While it's unlikely that anyone assumed Air Canada's official procedure involved chucking suitcases over a railing into a bin below, rather than simply walking them down a ramp to the tarmac, but some Twitter users are sympathizing with the accused workers.

Dwayne Stewart, who filmed the incident at Toronto's Pearson International Airport, also said that he couldn't quite bring himself to blame the handlers for their behavior.

"They [were] looking for the faster, most efficient solution," he told CBC News. "I understand why they would do that, from a workplace safety point of view, but that doesn't help passengers whose baggage they don't want to have treated in that fashion."

Stewart's video has received over a million views. Air Canada spokeswoman Angela Mah has described the baggage-drop "totally unacceptable" (and not "totally fun," which is what it looks like) and that the workers could lose their jobs "pending the outcome of our investigation."

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SONYA

While everybody is voting to have these Handlers fired, they don't stop to think or even look at those bags that were being tossed into the cart. They are NOT carry on bags, they are an extra suitcase that passengers packed and thought they could just sqeeze onto the aircraft. A carry on bag must fit under the seat in front of you, or in the overhead bin and not take up the whole bin.

Airlines push for on time departures and want to get the Aircraft out asap to avoid delays on departure and on and arrival which mean missed connections. These guys were probably thinking this was the fastest and safest way to get these SUITCASES from the jetbridge and loaded into the bulk for an on time departure. The Jetbridge stairs are steep, narrow and treacherous, workers lives and well being are worth more than what was stuffed into an oversize carry on bag and dragged to the gate to avoid paying for an extra suitcase.

If you don't want your bag taken from you at the gate or aircraft, use a regulation size bag: 22 x 14 x 9 is the standard 45" for carry on luggage!

What some are missing here (talking to YOU, David) ;) is that these WERE carry-on bags taken from passengers at the last minute due to either no room in the overhead bins or the plane being smaller than expected. This is STANDARD practice on ALL similar Air Carriers, don't kid yourselves. A few years ago I was forced to turn over my own carry on bag at the last minute to be checked, due to the Airline substituting a much smaller plane with no prior explanation. I argued to no avail--explaining that I had a whole slew of delicate musical instruments which I hadn't packed well enough for the hold since I always carry them on. None of my arguments worked. They insisted I HAD to check the bag (this all happens AS one is boarding, btw - past the point of no return)--forced me to attach a tag and assured me that they'd take 'extra care' with my bag precisely because of my specific concern. In fact one Flight Attendant held onto it as she waved me on while assuring me that she'd personally ensure it'd be placed somewhere safely. Not 10 minutes later I watched in horror out of the window as two baggage handlers made a game of FLINGING those same bags overhanded (including mine which was quite distinctive) as far into the little truck they use as they could. They were hi-fiving each other while having the best time seeing who could make the best 'shot'--laughing hysterically while they did so. NONE of my instruments were playable at my destination--taking hours of work before I could remotely use half of them.

Trust me it is NOT just Canada, I flew from AZ to AK and when I opened my suitcases all the hard plastic were nothing but little pieces throughout my case, not to mention my makeup was just powder on my clothes. Had to wash my clothes when I arrived at the hotel.

As an ex airline employees, poor handling of luggage and stealing goes on. Some lazy azz crew chiefs and ramp managers see many of these actions but don't say anything. Some airlines DO NOT HAVE written procedures for all the jobs at the airport. DO NOT PUT ANYTHING in your luggage that you want to keep. Baggage handlers and the TSA are stealing thing out luggage. Also ONLY PUT the address of your destination, INSIDE AND OUTSIDE of your luggage, and NOT your home address. Put YOUR phone number inside AND OUTSIDE OF YOUR LUGGAGE. Put colorful tape on your luggage so you can see it the moment it is on the carousel. They made thousand of the same luggage that you own. Thieves will go to luggage pick-ups and steal luggage.